To counter the back-and-forth about the future of the free MySQL database after Oracle's takeover of Sun Microsystems, developers have put effort into releasing another test version, called a second milestone, of the product.

MySQL developers explain the lack of a first milestone release for 5.5 by their new release model, which moved to milestones instead of alpha and beta designations. Milestone 1 was actually version 5.4, which had not yet adopted the new model. Goal of the model is sequences of shorter releases with fewer features that are thoroughly tested, rather than alphas and betas in longer intervals leading to a major release. In theory, developers and users are thereby better served in trying out new features.

Behind what is called MySQL 5.5.0-m2 and ready for download are numerous enhancements in the replication mechanisms and partitioning models. The complete list of changes is at the MySQL developer site. A download of the new milestone is also available there.

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